Pacey says:
Hands down, the best comic strip of all time is Calvin and Hobbes.
On December 31, 1995, comic writer Bill Watterson retired this fantastic comic strip. Of course, all good things come to an end, but this world is just a little less wonderful with the passing of Spaceman Spiff et al.
What I think truly separates Calvin and Hobbes from the pack is the seamless interweaving of high concepts of high academic/philosophic culture through the gleefully visceral imagination of Calvin in a manner that is not only hilarious, but also immediate, and with a good heart. It is also universal; boundless in time. Reading these comics over again, I am left in awe of the explosive imagination of Calvin, who not only sets the plot, but is also the very source of his superego, Hobbes.
The real source of this comic is the mind of Bill Watterson, who's satire attacks both sides of commercialism. Sometimes, I've found the comic to insightful to the mind of its creator on this subject. In one comic, Calvin states:
"The hard part for us avant-garde post-modern artists is deciding whether or not to embrace commercialism. Do we allow our work to be hyped and exploited by a market that's simply hungry for the next new thing? Do we participate in a system that turns high art into low art so it's better suited for mass consumption? Of course, when an artist goes commercial, he makes a mockery of his status as an outsider and free thinker. He buys into the crass and shallow values art should transcend. He trades the integrity of his art for riches and fame."
In real life, Watterson was staunch in his defense of the comic's integrity, and refused to allow his creations to be made part of the merchandising meat-grinder that would compromise the spirit of his creations. Watterson should be commended for not diluting the impact of Calvin and Hobbes in the face of, likely substantial, financial reward. Some things are great for merchandising, and merchandising has its place, but every time I see an sticker of Calvin urinating on a Ford symbol on the back of a truck, it turns my stomach (Watterson did not draw nor endorse the image). Watterson, to me, is the real deal when it comes to integrity.
There are great sources online to get your fill of Calvin and Hobbes, but allow me to indulge in a few of my favourite episodes (click to enlarge):
In real life, Watterson was staunch in his defense of the comic's integrity, and refused to allow his creations to be made part of the merchandising meat-grinder that would compromise the spirit of his creations. Watterson should be commended for not diluting the impact of Calvin and Hobbes in the face of, likely substantial, financial reward. Some things are great for merchandising, and merchandising has its place, but every time I see an sticker of Calvin urinating on a Ford symbol on the back of a truck, it turns my stomach (Watterson did not draw nor endorse the image). Watterson, to me, is the real deal when it comes to integrity.
There are great sources online to get your fill of Calvin and Hobbes, but allow me to indulge in a few of my favourite episodes (click to enlarge):
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